Star Trek--Prime Directive

The latest addition to the Star Trek canon revolves around violation of the Prime Directive forbidding interference with alien cultures. Instead of stopping a nuclear war on Talin IV, Captain Kirk has apparently triggered Armageddon: a devastated world now bears the name ``Kirk's Planet.'' The Enterprise is a crippled hulk, and her senior officers have left Starfleet in disgrace. But Kirk and his comrades are determined to restore their honor by finding out what really happened on Talin IV. Excessive use of frames and flashbacks complicates the story line, a flaw offset by strong presentation of the bonds among the Enterprise crew. The intricate Star Trek universe is handled well, especially in an amusing subplot putting Sulu and Chekov aboard an Orion pirate ship. While this installment is unlikely to attract new readers to the series, Trekkies will not be disappointed. (Sept.)